DELAND, Fla. – DeLand police are increasing security around their downtown station after recent harassment, vandalism and violent incidents.
The police station sits right on the busy main street, where residents and visitors walk by daily. Currently, despite warning signs, anyone has the ability to walk behind the building and access police cruisers and officers.
Now, the city plans to build a tall, gated wall around the station to protect both officers and the public.
“Police are taking people into custody here and people are confronting them, coming up ambushing them,” Police Public Information Officer Destiny Wiggins said.
Vandalism to police cruisers has also been a problem. The need for extra security has been growing since 2018, when someone shot at the station’s parking lot. Thankfully, no one was hurt.
“When you have a wall, you’re able to keep people out especially when some of our officers are going out on calls,” Wiggins said.
Pedestrians walking near the department’s parking lots can sometimes be at risk, and the open access can slow officers responding to calls.
“That can sometimes hinder police officers from going out and getting to those calls when necessary, so a wall is a barrier to keep people out who don’t need to be in the area,” Wiggins added.
The city is considering an 8-foot-tall wall with gates to maintain pedestrian safety. The city commission recently approved the plan.
“The commission is leaning towards something that was a little more aesthetically pleasing to fit in with the architecture of City Hall, the police station and downtown DeLand,” Commissioner Richard Paiva said.
Paiva said the project is now moving into the design phase.
“Initially, it was estimated that the wall would cost $100,000 and it would cost $30,000 each for three of the gates, which would have put the cost around $300,000,” Paiva said.
The final cost will depend on the design, which is still being developed. There is no timeline yet for when construction will begin.